Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Bees In Miami on December 20, 2012, 09:55:45 pm
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Kudos to all you Northern and frozen ones that over-winter bees year after year!!! :cheer: Here I am in South Florida, and pretty much stressing out over a couple nights in the low 40's. I always say that it is all relative...I am not used to 40* temps, nor are my girls! First time going into this kind of weather with my girls. (They were kind to me this spring and fall!). I HAD to do a split a couple weeks ago, so I am concerned for the NUC mostly. And I am concerned for my other 'weak' hive (working 9 of 10 frames thus far)...both of which have SBB. I added the mite board this afternoon as a bit of insulation. My strong hives all have solid bottoms, so not concerned about them too much. Anything else I should do?? I have absolutely no clue what breed I have, as all hives came from swarms. (Though according to my State inspector a couple weeks ago, they are "text book perfect"....which I just about jumped around in celebration to hear!) Since they are Florida swarms, I hope they have the stamina to tolerate cold temps! (which I guess they had to do as feral hives, too) Any advice? Feed, yes/no? A blanket on top of hives? Or just quit worrying and take it as it comes.... Seriously, I feel like the parent of a new baby. They're all doing so great, I hate to let a stupid oversight on my part mess things up! Thanks in advance for any and all input!!
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Until the temp stays below 40 for 30 days or more, relax and go to the beach.
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Agreed! We have highs in the mid 30's now and the bees here seem healthy and happy. My set up is a sbb, 2 deeps and 2 inches of insulation above the inner cover with a gap for the bees to get out of the 3/4 inch hole as a top entrance. We had a day in the mid 40's just a couple of days ago which allowed many of the bees to get out and strech their wings a little.
I know temps are all relative but your bees should be more than fine with the temps you have now.
Enjoy the free air conditioning!
David
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Maybe bottle up some of that free air conditioning for next july?
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Thank you all, for your replies!! I will relax, and count on the fact that the bees mind the cold less than I do!!! :shock: Iddee....C'mon down, and you can borrow my beach floats...I won't need them till the water is 85* or better!! :oops: I'll be adding an extra blanket or two to the bed...And hope the girls manage to do the same. Thanks again! I did notice today they weren't bearding much, so I guess they know the cold is coming, too. Is there a "Weatherwoman" role in the hives, too??? Is that before Pollen Jockey, or after?? :laugh: (j/k) Thanks again...I will try to relax.
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I'm more worried about the lizards....
(http://capewearingmom.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/img_3065.jpg)
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Great pic!! If you could see a couple of the GIANTS that hang under my hives, you would be less sympathetic! to that lizard! :shock: As I said before, it is ALL relative! Lizards....Snow...ants...Ice...heat....etc.... All relative, and congrats to ALL that take on this wondrous feat!! Bees are the BEST!
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Yeah, nothing to worry about. I lived in NE Florida for nearly 25 years, and I only remember a few years where it was really cold. 750 miles north and all my friends think it's snowing in October. Here in TN it's dropped to 27 F several times, and tonight is the coldest so far this year. It should be about 23.
When the temps drop they'll put on a "jacket," so to speak, then go back to what they were doing before it got chilly. I haven't seen a day here when the bees couldn't get out to evacuate, but have seen many days where they didn't want to get out.
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Kudos to all you Northern and frozen ones that over-winter bees year after year!!! :cheer: Here I am in South Florida, and pretty much stressing out over a couple nights in the low 40's. I always say that it is all relative...I am not used to 40* temps, nor are my girls! First time going into this kind of weather with my girls. (They were kind to me this spring and fall!). I HAD to do a split a couple weeks ago, so I am concerned for the NUC mostly. And I am concerned for my other 'weak' hive (working 9 of 10 frames thus far)...both of which have SBB. I added the mite board this afternoon as a bit of insulation. My strong hives all have solid bottoms, so not concerned about them too much. Anything else I should do?? I have absolutely no clue what breed I have, as all hives came from swarms. (Though according to my State inspector a couple weeks ago, they are "text book perfect"....which I just about jumped around in celebration to hear!) Since they are Florida swarms, I hope they have the stamina to tolerate cold temps! (which I guess they had to do as feral hives, too) Any advice? Feed, yes/no? A blanket on top of hives? Or just quit worrying and take it as it comes.... Seriously, I feel like the parent of a new baby. They're all doing so great, I hate to let a stupid oversight on my part mess things up! Thanks in advance for any and all input!!
This sound like summer time temps in New England at night time.
Don't worry bee happy!!!!!!!!!!
:lau: :lau: :lau:
http://youtu.be/3o0ExGXfs2o (http://youtu.be/3o0ExGXfs2o)
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
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.
http://www.wunderground.com/weather-forecast/US/AK/Anchorage.html (http://www.wunderground.com/weather-forecast/US/AK/Anchorage.html)
-26C / -15 F
Anchorage 22.12
(http://www.visualitineraries.com/img/locations/18137.jpg)
Town of Fairbanks
-38.7 °C / -38F
(http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/c48.0.403.403/p403x403/12224_445439162184919_1613632345_n.jpg)
.
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Mele Kalikimaka Honolulu Hawaii 79F/26C
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/41/Honolulu_from_Diamond_Head.jpg)
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Thanks everybody....Indeed the girls are flying today. In fact, it appears the split I did two weeks ago has a bunch of young bees orienting today! X:X Does seeing a new hive come to life ever get old? :yippiechick: I plan to inspect the new hive in another week or so for evidence of a queen with my fingers crossed. Thanks again for the reassurances.
Jim134...I grew up in Hingham...I am verrry familiar with the New England weather. (That is exactly why I moved to Florida!) :-D
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Miami, you need to get yourself some snow bees. :-D
Had some bees out walking around about an hour ago to check out the snow. 32F and snow don’t phase them a bit.
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j365/MichiganBee/Extra%20Deep%20Hives/JumboDec22_zps8fb57302.jpg)
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BlueBee....I think they were discussing whether they could make the flight all the way to South Florida for some R&R... :bee: :bee: :-D
Cool hives...I remember your set ups from some prior posts. :)
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Jim134...I grew up in Hingham...I am verrry familiar with the New England weather. (That is exactly why I moved to Florida!) :-D
Bees In Miami ........
The warmer part of MA. LOL
Did you keep bees in Hingham MA??
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
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Jim...No bees in Hingham, though I will be headed there this Spring to set my Mom up. She caught the bee fever when visiting me, so we'll get her set up. ;) Know any reliable sources around there where I may be able to find her a package or Nuc or two? She will be attending her first local meeting next month to get to know some local beeks.
I spent a few years in the Springfield area, too...so I empathize with the inner state weather, too. Been in Florida 20+ years now, and sorry but no regrets!
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Jim...No bees in Hingham, though I will be headed there this Spring to set my Mom up. She caught the bee fever when visiting me, so we'll get her set up. ;) Know any reliable sources around there where I may be able to find her a package or Nuc or two? She will be attending her first local meeting next month to get to know some local beeks.
I spent a few years in the Springfield area, too...so I empathize with the inner state weather, too. Been in Florida 20+ years now, and sorry but no regrets!
This is the 3 I have use in MA.
http://www.nebees.com/queensnucsandpackages.php (http://www.nebees.com/queensnucsandpackages.php)
http://www.warmcolorsapiary.com/Bees.asp (http://www.warmcolorsapiary.com/Bees.asp)
http://mvabeepunchers.com/nucs.html (http://mvabeepunchers.com/nucs.html)
And I do know some of the county's in the South East past of MA do bulk orders on packages bees (May bee Plymouth County?)
http://www.plymouthcountybeekeepers.org/about-us/contact-us (http://www.plymouthcountybeekeepers.org/about-us/contact-us)
You may like this all so like
http://massbee.org/ (http://massbee.org/)
Alot of County Beekeepers Association In MA. have a facebook Pg.
Plymouth County Beekeepers' Association (on facebook)
Bristol County Beekeepers Association (on facebook)
I am the Admis of
Franklin County Beekeepers Association (FCBA) MA (on facebook)
I all so send a PM to you on Beemaster
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
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Jim: Thanks so much for all the links! I pasted them in an email, so now mom can do some homework, too! ;) Thanks again!